The Pavlova is something of a rite of passage in the life of any self-respected Aussie baker, so it seems particularly ironic that I tried my first Pav in Canada courtesy of a North Vancouver bakery, and then spent one year in Australia sampling a variety of pavs, but did not make my first one till I went back to Vancouver for another vacation.

The recipe I followed was what looked to be (and proved to be) a solid winner from Taste.com.au. This served 7 happy people.

6 (59g) eggs, separated

1 1/4 cups (270g) caster sugar

2 teaspoons cornflour

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

300ml thickened cream

2 tablespoons icing sugar mixture, sifted

Finely shredded rind and juice of 2 limes

2 Lady finger bananas, thinly sliced diagonally

3 golden kiwifruit, peeled, thinly sliced

2 starfruit, thinly sliced

Pulp of 2-3 passionfruit

reheat oven to 120°C. Line an oven tray with foil.

Brush with melted butter and dust with cornflour, shaking off excess. Mark a 24cm-diameter circle on foil.

Use an electric mixer to whisk egg whites in a clean dry bowl until soft peaks form.

Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating well after each addition, until meringue is thick and glossy and sugar dissolved. Rub a little meringue between fingers. If still "gritty" with sugar, continue to whisk until sugar dissolves.

Add cornflour, vinegar and vanilla and whisk until just combined.

Spoon meringue onto the foil, using the marked circle as a guide. Smooth sides and top of pavlova. Use a small spatula to forms little peaks around edge of pavlova.

Bake in oven for 11/2 hours or until pavlova is dry to the touch. Turn off oven. Leave pavlova in oven with the door ajar to cool completely.

Use an electric mixer to whisk the cream and icing sugar in a medium bowl until firm peaks form.

Given that I didn't use the traditional topping of Banana, Kiwi and Passionfruit, I skipped all of the italicised directions above and subbed with a pint of strawberries (roughly quartered), one mango (cubed), and some blueberries.